A/HRC/7/19/Add.2 page 12 tolerance, respect for diversity and, ultimately, integration of racial, ethnic and religious minorities in Estonia. 41. One of the frameworks for consultation with national minorities created by Estonia is the President of the Republic’s Roundtable on National Minorities, which is mandated to propose specific recommendations in several areas, including “the resolution of the socio-economic, cultural and legal problems of aliens and stateless persons permanently residing in Estonia as well as of ethnic minorities”; “support for persons seeking Estonian citizenship”; languagerelated issues; and preservation of cultural and ethnic identity of minorities. 42. Representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs highlighted that non-discrimination is an important topic on the Ministry’s agenda. In effect, the Ministry coordinated the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007 in Estonia, prompting the organization of several awarenessraising actions among the population in general and minorities in particular, focusing not only on the respect for diversity but also educating the population concerning the existing legislation on non-discrimination. The collection of data concerning the main forms of discrimination was highlighted by Ministry officials as a central priority and the subject of various ongoing research projects during the year. 43. The Office of the Minister of Population Affairs is more directly engaged in efforts to promote minority cultures, particularly by financing associations of national minorities, which are entitled to receive public funds to develop cultural activities. The Office of the Minister was also involved in the preparation of the Strategy for Integration of Society (2008-13), in cooperation with the Integration Foundation, a body set-up in 1998 to prepare, coordinate and execute projects that aim to foster the integration of Estonian society. During the drafting process, around 200 amendments to the strategy were received from members of civil society, including minority organizations, and a broad process of consultation was established. According to officials, this Strategy was designed to further strengthen the Government’s support of ethnic minorities. It will address the problem of social and political exclusion of large ethnic groups, which is viewed as an important challenge for integration, as well as the need to focus on regional differences in integration and to deepen cooperation with local governments. The Strategy has as its main objective the promotion of cultural diversity, specifically through the preservation of the linguistic and cultural distinctiveness of minorities, whilst creating a common sense of unity around core Estonian values, in particular Estonian language and Constitution, and promote participation in social, economic and cultural life. 2 44. An important realm for the respect of diversity and multiculturalism are state agencies that deal directly with non-citizens as well as refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants. The Special Rapporteur was informed that the Citizenship and Migration Board has developed in-house trainings to prepare its staff to respect diversity. Compulsory training programmes on human rights and multiculturalism are also in place for all employees of reception centers for asylumseekers and refugees as well as deportation facilities. 2 See Strategy for Integration of Society 2008-2013 at www.rahvastikuminister.ee/public/integration_strategy_english_version.pdf